Preseason MIAA track polls rank MSSU men third, women fourth

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern men's track and field team was picked third, while the women were picked fourth in the preseason MIAA Indoor Track and Field Coaches Poll.

Both the men and women finished fourth at last year's indoor track and field championships. For the men, the Lions return an All-American from the outdoor season in Morgan Hold, while senior Eric Schott returns for his senior season in the indoor season. Hold, Sam Kohrs and Bryan Burns all return after All-MIAA performances at last year's indoor championships. The Lions also return sophomore Kennan Harrison who starred in the jumps last season, while Jayce Thomas is back after a year off from injury. 

On the women's side, the Lions return Melanie Bower, Kaylee Morgan, Brittany Reagan, and Emily Harris, all of whom were All-MIAA honorees at last year's indoor championships. Bower was an All-American in the outdoor season, while Harris was the MIAA champion in the indoor mile and was the national runner-up in the event. 

The Lions' men earned one first place vote and 62 points alltogether. Pittsburg State was the preseason pick to win the league, while Central Missouri, Southern, Nebraska-Kearney and Lincoln round out the top five teams. Emporia State, Fort Hays, Southwest Baptist, Northwest Missouri and Lindenwood round out the men's poll. 

On the women's side, Central Missouri was picked to win the league. Lincoln was second, followed by Pittsburg State, Missouri Southern, and Southwest Baptist to round out the top five. Nebraska-Kearney, Emporia State, Northwest Missouri, Fort Hays, Lindenwood and Central Oklahoma finish up the women's poll. 

Both teams will open up the indoor season when they travel to Pittsburg State on December 4-5. 

2015-16 MIAA Preseason Men's ITF Poll
1. Pittsburg State (9) 81
2. Central Missouri 69
3. Missouri Southern (1) 62
4. Nebraska-Kearney 58
5. Lincoln 48
6. Emporia State 39
7. Fort Hays State 31
8. Southwest Baptist 23
9. Northwest Missouri 22
10. Lindenwood 17

2015-16 MIAA Preseason Women's ITF Coaches Poll
1. Central Missouri (5) 94
2. Lincoln (4) 91
3. Pittsburg State (2) 86
4. Missouri Southern 72
5. Southwest Baptist 61
6. Nebraska-Kearney 58
7. Emporia State 41
8. Northwest Missouri 32
9. Fort Hays State 31
10. Lindenwood 27
11. Central Oklahoma 12